~ I'm Sorry

Chapter 2

They were in my house, peacekeepers, beating my uncle, pulling my brothers hair and kicking my mother I screamed for them to stop but it was as if I was invisible. "Get the hell off them!" I screamed but it was no use. The peacekeeper drew his gun and pulled the trigger. Suddenly I was awake panting, my body gasping for air. It was just a dream I think to myself.

As I lay in the bed soaked with sweat I fear of going back to sleep, scared of what horrible lies my dreams will bring me. I blame the capitol. Its bad enough they're sending me and 23 others off to fight to the death, but now they're infecting my dreams? How is any of this fair? Then I remember, its not supposed to be.

Because of my unlikely odds of going back to sleep i decided to get up and explore the train, maybe indulge in some of the capitols finest foods, its not like we get anything anywhere near as nice back home. I tip-toe from my room trying not to rouse anyone who may be sleeping. I get to the main part of the train and open a pantry when I hear a faint noise. I freeze and focus all my energy on listening. I hear a deep, manly laugh then a scream that followed shortly after. "Eve!" I ran through the train doors each step increasing the volume of the noises. I busted open a door to find a tall, muscular, blonde haired man on top of Eve. I ran full force at the unknown man dropping my shoulder and bracing for impact. 'Crash'. I took advantage of the surprise attack grabbing the startled mans hands and pinning him. "Stop Cooper Stop!" Eve yelled. "Who the hell is this guy?" I spat back. "He's our mentor Cooper, Finnick!" My heart sank as I relieved myself from on top of him. The one person who was going to help me survive, help me get back to my family has been maliciously attacked without proper reason. "I'm sorry, I, I thought you were hurting her." I said. The blonde man, who on closer inspection looked like a boy stood up, brushed himself off and replied "quite a charge you've got there. The names Finnick" he replied extending his arm out for me to shake his hand. I firmly grasped his hand when all of a sudden he span my arm around pushed it onto my back and grabbed my throat with his left hand. A small shriek was let out by Eve. "Another stunt like that and you'll be dead faster than you can say 'I'm Sorry', you hear?" I nod and he releases me. "Now, what did you say your name was?" he said "Cooper, Cooper Redd" I replied while massaging my wrist. "Before I was so rudely interrupted by yourself I was showing your pretty little friend here what to do if somebody comes at you with a knife." He said "wouldn't you like to know what to do if someone came at you with a knife Cooper?" he added in a sarcastic tone.

We went through the night exchanging our stories and strategies. Laughing and smiling at some stories, and others, well. Turns out Finnick was only 15, he won the games last year but had barely any time back in district 4. He's being used by the capitol as a marketing tool because of his good looks. He didn't look 15. He was tall, muscular and spoke very well for age. He told us all about careers and how he was the last of district 4's. He regretted it, you could tell it from his voice. The faces of those he killed never have or never will leave him. Finnick asked if we had ever taken tessarae out. I hadn't myself, Uncle Mo never let me but Eve seemed to freeze up when it was her turn to speak. "My mother. She, she made me sign up then took it for herself. She was a bitch, a selfish bitch. She didn't even come and say goodbye. She hates me, the feelings mutual." Her voice became shaky. "ya know even though this situation is so messed up and we hardly know each other, I want you to know that I've really enjoyed today. Goodnight." She left, leaving her trail of mystery and beauty behind. "Wow. Isn't she something?" Finnick said. "Anyway I'm off to bed, you better get some sleep too, tomorrows going to be a big day."